JP2004503068A5 - - Google Patents

Claims (18)

Proton exchange membrane (4), anode catalyst layer (1, 16) on one side of proton exchange membrane, cathode catalyst layer (7) on the opposite side of proton exchange membrane, and gas distribution layer on each side of proton exchange membrane (4) In the polymer electrolyte fuel cell structure composed of (3, 5), the at least one gas distribution layer (3, 5) has a water flow path formed on the surface facing the proton exchange membrane (4) ( Gas distribution layer (3, 5) having a flat porous structure with 3a) or aqueous phase flow path (3a) and comprising said water or aqueous phase flow path (3a) , said gas distribution layer in said gas distribution layer A polymer electrolyte fuel cell which is sealed by a sealing plate (2, 6) which is flush with a water or aqueous phase inlet flow channel connected to a water or aqueous phase flow channel (3a). Construction. The structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the anode side gas distribution layer (3) comprises a flow path (3a) of water or an aqueous phase. 3. A structure according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the water or aqueous phase channel (3a) has a width of about 50 to 100 [mu] m. 4. The structure according to claim 1 , wherein the water or aqueous phase channel (3a) has a depth of about 100 to 300 [mu] m. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the water or aqueous phase channels (3a) are separated by an interval of about 200 to 1000 µm. The structure according to claim 2 , characterized in that the cathode-side gas distribution layer (5) has a porous structure sealed by a coplanar sealing plate (6). Cathode side gas distribution layer (5) is film flow path of the water or aqueous phase which is formed on the opposite surface (4) comprises a (3a), and said water or aqueous phase flow path of the gas distribution layer (3a structure according to claim 6, characterized in that it is sealed by a sealing plate (6) in the inlet channel flush with water or aqueous phase which is connected to). The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the water or aqueous phase channel (3a) comprises a hydrophobic coating. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8 bipolar plates (1,7), characterized in that installed on the side surface of the membrane the sealing plate away from (4) (2,6). 10. Structure according to claim 9 , characterized in that each bipolar plate (1, 7) comprises an anode catalyst layer on one side and a cathode catalyst layer on the opposite side. The cathode layer side of each bipolar plate (1, 7) comprises at least one cathode gas channel (22), and the anode layer side has an anode gas channel (19) and at least one water or aqueous phase inlet ( The structure according to claim 10 , comprising: 20) . Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, an anode catalyst layer (16), characterized in that installed on the anode side gas distribution layer (3). 13. Structure according to claim 12 , characterized in that the cathode catalyst layer is placed on the cathode side gas distribution layer (5). 14. Structure according to claim 12 or 13 , characterized in that water is retained in the water or aqueous phase channel (3a) by a relatively non-porous layer (17) which is a proton conducting material. Structure according to any one of claims 1-8 wherein at least one catalyst layer (16) is characterized in that it is installed on the film (4). 16. Structure according to claim 15 , characterized in that another catalyst layer is placed on the gas distribution layer on the opposite side of the membrane (4). 17. Water according to claim 15 or 16 , characterized in that the water is retained in the water or aqueous phase channel (3a) by a relatively non-porous layer (18) which is a highly gas permeable material. Construction. 18. A structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aqueous phase is mainly composed of a mixture of water and methanol.

Images